Registering mechanism



June 15, 1943. J. E. FERNLY REGISTERING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 17, 1940 June 15, 1943. J. E. FERNLY 2,321,739

REGISTERING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 17, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 15, 1943 REGISTERING MECHANISM Joseph E. Fernly, Conshohocken, Pa., assignor to John Wood Manufacturing Company,

Inc.,

Conshohocken, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application September 1'7, 1940, Serial No. 357,089

3 Claims.

My invention relates to mechanism wherein a plurality of wheels each having an arcuate series of numbers on its perimeter, are progressed by 'Patent of the United States Reissue 19,201 grantedJu'ne 5, 1934, to Albert Penn, as assignor of one-half to Ralph Penn, for an "Air service device, wherein air may be taken from a source of compressed air supply and delivered to a receiver adapted to be filled or inflated up to the predetermined or preset pressure; and my improved mechanism is substituted for the registering means shown in said patent, which includes a stationary dial having a circular series of graduations, traversed by a rotary indicating finger. However, my registering mechanism is applicable to the air service device shown in Letters Patent of the United States Reissue 18,- 483 granted May 31, 1932, to Thomas M. Manson, as assignor to Service Station Equipment Company, as a substitute for the stationary dial and rotary indicating finger shown in that patent. In either of those embodiments the registering mechanism is manually set, by turning a crank, to predetermine the pressure to which the air receiver shall be char ed.

} In said Penn patent, the numerical indicia on the dial range from 20 to 50 pounds. In said .Manson patent, the numerical indicia on the dial range from 20 to 80 pounds, and when the device be set to or beyond the latter limit the valve controlling the supply of compressed air to the receiver is automatically held in open position, so that the full pressure of the air supply is then admitted to the receiver without conl trol by the adjustable pulsating mechanism.

My invention relates'particularly to shutter means, adapted to be automaticallyoperated, to prevent the use of the presetting mechanism for automatic delivery of air either below or above certain limits of pressure; for example, not be low 20 pounds or above 80 pounds; the shutter means being automatically operated to cover and conceal numbers on the wheels, either below or .above the predetermined limits; when the operator turns the crank to adjust the wheels beyond those limits.

In apparatus of the general character shown in said Manson patent, the position of my re istering mechanism indicating maximum stress of the variable spring also indicates that the full pressure of the air supply may be directly admitted to the receiver, and that fact may be manifested by the display of suitable indicia on the shutter in such position, for instance, the words Tank pressure. 7

My invention includes the various novel features of construction, arrangement, and method of operation hereinafter more definitely specified, and is adaptable to registering mechanism associated with any kind of air service device.

In said drawings, Fig. I is a left hand en-d elevation of an embodiment of my invention in an air service device of the type shown in said Penn patent. Fig. II is a front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. I. Fig. III is an end elevation of the registering mechanism such as shown inFig. I, but with the shutter mechanism shifted to cover and conceal numbers on the register wheels which are exposed at the horizontal diameter of said wheels, when the shutter is in the'position shown in Fig. II. Fig. IV is an end elevation. of the mechanism shown in Fig. III, but in the position in which the variable spring is stressed to the maximum and the shutter is I in the position to indicate that fact and may also display, upon the right hand face thereof, the words Tank pressure or other indi-cia of the fact that the full pressure of the supply is available for direct delivery to the receiver.

Figs. V, VI and VII show a simplified modification of my invention, wherein the shutter is rigidly connected with and carried by the num bered'wheel at the left hand side of Fig. V, which is a fragmentary front elevation, similar to Fig. II. Fig. VI is an end elevation showing the shutter in idle position, similar to Fig. I. Fig. VII is an end elevation similar to Fig. VI, but showing the shutter shifted to cover and conceal numbers on the register wheels, a in Fig. III.

The shutter mechanism of Figs. I to IV is automatically moved from. the position shown in Fig. I to the position shown in Fig. HI whenever the numbered wheels are turned to register less than 20 pounds or more than 80 pounds.'

Re erring to Figs. I to IV; the registering mechanism includes two wheels I and 2 each having an arcuate series of numbers, respectively 3 and 4, on its perimeter; conveniently, completely circular series of equally spaced numbers to 9 inclusive and 0, the latter representing Ill. The wheel I of lower order is connected with the wheel of higher order 2 by transfer gearing including the transfer gear loosely journaled on the stationary rod 5. Gear 5 has a circular series of four teeth I which act as a stop when the circular perimeter of the disk 8 is presented between any two of those teeth; which is the position shown. Said disk 8 has a single tooth notch 9, circumferentially located between the two teeth H] of the sectoral gear H which is offset to the left from the plane of said disk 8 as shown in Fig, II. Said gear 5 also has a series of four teeth l2 interposed between the teeth I to form an eight tooth gear in mesh with the gear l3 which is rigidly connected with the registering wheel 2.

The wheel of lower order is rigidly connected with the axial shaft l5, whereas the wheel 2 of higher order is loosely journaled on that shaft. Said shaft I5 is journaled at its opposite ends, respectively in the bearing brackets l6 and il, in which said rod 6 is mounted as shown in Figs. I and II. Said shaft 55 has freedom for arcuate turning movement, in either direction, and, in the form shown, has freedom for rotation in either direction.

The construction and arrangement of said two registering wheels I and 2 as above described is such that the numbers registered thereby (exemplified by the numbers I, I, as shown in Fig. II) are represented at the horizontal diameter of said wheels opposite windows IS in the front panel I9, of which a fragment is shown in Fig. I; through which windows the numbers thus placed are normally exposed to sight.

The shutter members 2| and 22, respectively registering with said wheels I and 2 are conveniently formed in unitary relation with the opposite end arms 23 and 24 of the shutter, which arms are respectively journaled, loosely, on said shaft l5. Normally, said members 2| and 22 are in the position shown in Figs. I and II in which the windows 3 are uncovered and the registered numbers 1, I exposed to sight. However, upon any attempt to turn the register wheels to register less than or more than 80 said shutter members are automatically shifted to the position shown in Fig. III in which the windows l8 are covered and the registered numbers concealed. However, whenever the register wheels I and 2 are turned, by shaft l5, to register more than 20 and less than 80 said shutter is automatically moved to the position shown in Figs.

I and II exposing the numbers registered behind the windows l8.

Such automatic operation of the shutter members 2| and 22 is conveniently effected, in the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. I to IV, by the cam 25 which is rigidly connected with said registering wheel 2 of higher order. conveniently by the single stud bolt 25 and nut 27 thereon so as to be turned with said registering wheel 2 on said shaft l5. Said cam has three arcuate portions 28, 29 and 30, of different radius, but all in concentric relation with the axis of the shaft I5. Cam 25 is continually engaged by the roller 3| carried by the stud shaft 32 on the cam lever 33, which lever is fulcrumed on the stud shaft 35 rigidly connected with said bracket I1. Cam lever 33 is continually stressed, upwardly in Figs. I and II, by the spiral spring 38 which extends from the stationary rod 6 to the pivot stud 31 which is fixed in cam lever 33. Said stud 31 is connected by the link 38 with the pivot stud 40 fixed in the shutter arm 24, That construction and arrangement are such that when cam 26 is turned to permit roller 3| to rest on the cam surface 28 of largest radius the shutter is lowered to the idle position shown in Fig. I, but when roller 3| rests on cam surface 29 of next less radius, spring 36 causes cam lever 33 to raise the shutter members 2| and 22 from the position shown in Fig. I to the position shown in Fig. III, and when roller 3| rests on cam surface 30, of least radius, the shutter is raised to the highest position, shown in Fig. IV, and indicating the highest air pressure is available for dispensation, as above stated.

Turning movement of the shaft l5, in either direction, is conveniently effected by manual operation of the crank 4| fixed on the shaft 42. Shaft 42 carries the pinion 43, in mesh with the intermediate gear 44, in mesh with gear 45 on shaft l5. Shaft 42 is journaled in the casing 45, and is part of an air service device such as shown in the Penn patent aforesaid. As indicated in Fig. I, shaft 42 has the screw thread 32 at its inner end engaging nut 4'! which is held in the left hand end of the spiral spring 48. The opposite end 49 of spring 48 extends, diametrically, in pivotal connection with the long arm 59 of a bell crank lever which is fulcrumed on shaft 5| in casing 45 and has the short arm 52 in cooperative relation with the flexible diaphragm 53 which is subjected to fluid pressure in the diaphragm chamber 54 from a source of supply of compressed air connected with the conduit 55 shown in Fig. II. The valve 56 in the valve casing 51 controls the passage of compressed air to and through the dispensing conduit 59 which has means at its distal end for connection with an automobile tire or other receiver. Said dispensing conduit 59 is connected to the diaphragm chamber 54 as shown in Fig. II so that when the valve 56 is opened the diaphragm 53 is subjected to the full pressure from the source of compressed air. The construction and arrangement of the spring and lever above described are such that, when air is being dis.- pensed from the conduit 55 through the conduit 59, the air pressure on the diaphragm 53, when the pressure in the tire or other receiver reaches the 77 pounds for which the registering mechanism has been set, has effected upward movement of said diaphragm 53 which causes the valve 55 to be automatically shut. As above contemplated, such apparatus may be manually adjusted to dis pense air through the air servicing device illustrated at any pressure from 20 to 80 pounds per square inch at which the registering mechanism may be manually set by turning the crank 4 I. In accordance with the Manson patent, when the spring has been adjusted to the maximum pressure for which it is calibrated, the valve 56 is heldopen so that the full pressure from the source through the conduits 55 and 59 may be dispensed to the receiver until the supply is shut off by closure of the dispensing valve, or chuck as it is called, at the distal end of the conduit 59.

Referring to the modified form of my invention shown in Figs. V to VII inclusive; the numbered registering wheels, 6| and 62 are respectively like the wheels and 2 and similarly connected by tens transfer gearing including a transfer gear 5 journaled on the rod 6. The wheel of lower order 6| is rigidly connected with th axial shaft l5, whereas, the wheel 62 of higher order is loosely journaled on that shaft, which has freedom for rotation in either direction as above described.

Instead of providing shutter means operated by a cam and spring as above described; I provide the shutter 63 which as shown in Figs. V, VI and VII is a sector of a cylinder rigidly connected with the register wheel of higher order 62, conveniently by an arcuate series of spot welds 64, one of which is shown in Fig. V and which also secure the arcuate spacing strip 65 which rigidly supports the shutter 63 in spaced relation with said wheel 62 so that it clears the circumference of the wheel 6!. Figs. V and VI show the register wheel of higher order 62 in the position of the wheel 2 shown in Figs. I and II. Fig. V11 shows the wheel 62 and shutter 63 in the position in which the shutter 63 would cover the windows 18 and corresponding with the position of the shutter mechanism shown in Fig. III. It is to be understood that the shutter mechanism shown in Figs. V to VII inclusive may be farther raised to correspond with the position shown in Fig. IV in which the variable spring 48 is stressed to the maximum as above described.

In order to charge an air receiver automatically to a pressure predetermined by rotation of the crank 4 I, it is necessary that the supply tank pressure shall exceed the pressure to which the receiver is to be charged by a sufficient amount to effect proper operation of the diaphragm 53 in opposition to the lever arm 52. Such required differential in the pressure varies both according to the pressure maintained in the source tank and the pressure to which the spring is adjusted. As the set pressure is increased, a greater differential in pressure is required to effect automatic operation of the mechanism. The source pressure may vary from 115 pounds per square inch to 155 pounds per square inch. Therefore, if the register be set to 80 pounds and the shutters moved to the position shown in Figs. III and VII, the device will not operate automatically to charge the air receiver to 80 pounds unless there is sufficient excess pressure from the source to effect such automatic operation. However, if the crank 4| be turned to increase the set pressure to 100 pounds, even with the source pressure at a maximum, the device will not operate auto matically and air may only be delivered to the receiver directly at the pressure of the source.

Therefore, before the words Tank pressure on the shutter may be made to appear through the windows l8, it is necessary for the operator to turn th crank 4| to advance the register wheels to what would be a setting of 100 pounds, before the shutter is moved to the position shown in Fig. IV, in which position the words Tank pressure are displayed at the windows I8.

It is to be understood that my registering mechanism may-be otherwise constructed and arranged in conjunction with any means for turning the shaft l5.

Therefore, I do not desire to limit myself to the precis details of construction, arrangement, or method of operation herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention. as defined in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. In registering mechanism; the combination with a member having freedom for rotation and carrying a circular series of indicia; of means for turning said member, in alternately opposite directions; means forming a window opening at which a character of said series may be registered and displayed, by turning movement of said member; shutter means for closing said opening; and means connecting said member with said shutter means, for closing said opening at a predetermined point in the turning movement of said member, including a cam, a cam lever, a roller carried by the lever, and a spring continuall stressing the lever and holding the roller in cooperative relation with the cam.

2. In registering mechanism; the combination with a member having freedom for rotation and carrying a circular series of indicia; of means for turning said member, in alternately opposite directions; means forming a window opening at which a character of said series may be registered and displayed, by turning movement of said member; shutter means for closing said opening; and means connecting said member with said shutter means, for closing said opening at a predetermined point in the turning movement of said member, including a cam, a cam lever, a roller carried by the lever, a link pivotally connecting the shutter with the lever, and a spring continually stressing the lever and holding the roller in cooperative relation with the cam.

3. In registering mechanism; the combination with a member having freedom for rotation and carrying a circular series of indicia; of means for turning said member, in alternately opposite directions; means forming a window opening at which a character of said series may be registered and displayed, by turning movement of said member; shutter means for closing said opening; and means connecting said member with said shutter means, for closing said opening at a predetermined point in the turning movement of said member, including a cam having two arcuate crests of respectively different radius, a cam lever, a roller carried by the lever, a link pivotally connecting the shutter with the lever, and a spring continually stressing the lever and holding the roller in cooperative relation with the cam.

JOSEPH E. FERNLY. 

